Sunday, November 15, 2009

Koorka Mezhukupuratti (Sautéed Chinese Potato)



Koorka, as it is called in Kerala, is a well known tuber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF KOORKA ( Courtesy:http://ecocrop.fao.org)Its a tuber from a herb that is a creeper, has succulent stems and aromatic leaves.It produces tubers in clusters at the base of the stems. The tubers are round, dark brown or black and aromatic.
USES The tubers are used in the same way as potatoes.
GROWING PERIOD Annual herb, tubers may be harvested 120-180 days from planting.
COMMON NAMES Sudan potato, Madagascar potato, Hausa potato, Koorkan kizhangu, Kentang dwaja, Ratala, Country-potato.
FURTHER INFO Native to tropical Africa, possible Ethiopia. Also cultivated in South East Asia,like Kerala in India.


Heres a pic of Koorka Plantation.

It is a part of a typical Kerala household meal and is very tasty. I was very glad to find a bag at a local grocery store here. So heres how I served it at home.....



Things you will need:

Koorka/Chinese Potato - 1 lb; washed thoroughly,peeled,cut into bite size pieces
Red Whole chillies- 3 or 4
Onion- 1 medium size;diced
Curry Leaves
Turmeric powder- 1tsp
Red Chilli powder-1 tsp
Salt to taste
Mustard Seeds- 1 tsp
Green Chillies- 3 or 4 ; slit in half lengthwise
Oil- 2 tbsp

Preparation Method:

Heat oil in a pan.
Add mustard seeds and wait till they splutter.
Now add onion , green chillies,curry leaves and red whole chillies.
Once onion is brown in color,add turmeric powder and red chilli powder until the raw smell is gone.

Now add koorka,salt and cook covered in low-medium heat for 5 mins.Stir occassionally.
Make sure there is no water content in the pan.
Do a taste test and add salt if necessary.

Sautéed Chinese Potato or 'Koorka Mezhukupuratti' can now be served with steamed rice and Sambhar or Mambazha Pulissery.

13 comments:

  1. Ahaa! Ente favannu... Tempting click priya!kurenalai kazhichittu.evide kittarilla....mmmm...eppalum ethukandal control kittilla.:)

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  2. mmmmuah... i miss kerala and my mom's cooking so much...
    but luckily i'm going to kerala after 2 weeks :)

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  3. ethu ente favorite anu priya, but i don't get it that often here....

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  4. one of my favs too.. Thanks your sharing.. and glad you have joined our blog...

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  5. Looks awesome...
    Ought to try it out once...
    Thanks for sharing the recipe
    will surely look to savour kerala food.... :)
    Keep posting
    Cheers

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  6. thanks for ur comments priya!! your recipes also look great :)

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  7. Thanks to all for ur comments :)

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  8. I like stir-fried vegetables, I consider them as very healthy, this is too good:)

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  9. koorka seem potatoes, I like your recipe with very spicy chili. Good evening!

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  10. Thanks u all for ur comments :)

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  11. The stuffs you present here are really amazin..and this chinese patota I will try it my own when I will be at home...

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